DATE: April 27, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Kirk Haynes, Chief Probation Officer
SUBJECT: Approve First Amendment to Agreement with the University of Cincinnati Research Institute
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to Agreement 19-038 with the University of Cincinnati Research Institute (UCRI) for the design and implementation of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Realignment Program effective upon execution extending the term by one year to December 31, 2022 and increasing the maximum by $176,000 to a total of $473,433.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action as all costs for this agreement are fully offset with Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (SB 823) and Youthful Offender Block Grant funds. Approval of the recommended amendment will authorize the UCRI to design and implement an evidence-based practice program and provide training to prepare the Probation Department to receive high risk youth being redirected from state-level to county-level jurisdiction. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the County will not receive an evidence-based practices program, implementation plan and training to prepare the Probation Department to receive the high-risk youth being redirected to county-level jurisdiction from the State of California Division of Juvenile Justice by July 1, 2021. A Suspension of Competition was approved by Purchasing and is part of the original agreement. The Department is not aware of another contractor that has the expertise in providing the services requested and also has extensive knowledge of our current operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in the Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The costs of this amendment are fully funded by the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (SB 823) and Youthful Offender Block Grant revenue. The recommended action changes the term to extend the contract for an additional year and increases the maximum compensation by $176,000 to $473,433. This will include $151,000 for the preparation and implementation of the DJJ Realignment evidence-based practices program and training and also provide $25,000 for additional services and training if requested by the Chief Probation Officer. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included within the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget for Probation Org 3430. Costs for the additional year will be included in future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
In January 2019, the County entered into an agreement with UCRI to implement evidence-based practices in the Probation Department. This is being accomplished by enhancing and improving the contingency/behavioral management system, enhancing development of meaningful case plans, and enhancing staff usage of core correctional practices through training, coaching, and quality assurance. A multidisciplinary team approach was developed to coordinate services addressing criminogenic needs identified through risk assessment, to respond to youth behavior, and to utilize Core Correctional Practices (CCP) to reduce misconducts and lower recidivism.
In 2020, the State passed Juvenile Justice Realignment: Office of Youth and Community Restoration (SB 823), establishing a Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Program to transfer responsibility for the custody, care, and supervision of high-risk youth from the State of California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to the local county jurisdiction. The intent of this legislation is for counties to use evidence-based practices and programs to improve the outcomes of youth and public safety, reduce the transfer of youth into the adult criminal justice system, ensure dispositions are in the least restrictive appropriate environment, reduce and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities, and reduce the use of confinement in the juvenile justice system by utilizing community-based responses and interventions.
As of July 1, 2021, the DJJ will no longer accept new high-risk youth offenders. In order to be prepared for this transfer of jurisdiction, the Probation Department is recommending an amendment to the current UCRI agreement to provide for the, design and implementation of DJJ Realignment Program. This amendment will cover the entire process from intake through discharge and community aftercare. UCRI and key stake holders will develop this program in four stages. First, a logic model and program design will be developed by selecting assessments and structured treatment interventions to match the criminogenic needs of the high-risk youth. This will include designing the behavior management system, case management plans, progress rating tools, and program fidelity measures. Second, a detailed implementation plan will be created identifying and scheduling major tasks, supports and resources required. Third, UCRI will provide training with a developed list of training modules, course sequence, and identification of trainings needed per job description. Coaching will be provided through hands-on modeling, observation, and feedback. Lastly, program fidelity will be ensured by training staff on use observation forms, surveys, and staff evaluations for quality improvement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #51- January 29,2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement with UCRI
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck